French magazine reports Manchester City will transfer Eden Hazard.

French magazine L'equipe seems to be sure Eden is heading to Manchester. They are not quite sure if it will be Manchester United or Manchester City, but all odds point to Manchester City. Manchester City's spending budget has virtually no limit, and is the 3rd best paying club in the world. According to Eden's agent, Marc Formeux, Manchester City had previously this year made an offer of 30 Million to transfer Eden.

CONCLUSION:

- May 2012: 5 stars, because Manchester City has a virtually unlimited amount of money to buy any players they want. Altough City hasn't got the tradition like United or Madrid, it will continue to be in the top in the premier league, as long as the owners want to.

Sir Alex Ferguson reported to scout Eden Hazard, and he confirmed his interest.

Manchester United always has been careful with transfers, but also knowing the right price for the right talent. They are looking for new players for the next season: a replacement for Rio Ferdinand, Scholes, Ryan Giggs, and maybe a new keeper too.

CONCLUSION:

- May 2012: 4 stars, because Manchester United is one of the most prestigious, and best led club in the world. To play for Sir Alex Ferguson is an honour. Manchester United to replace several older players.

Chelsea could transfer Eden last minute after winning the champions league. Because Chelsea needs to replace some older players.

According to French sport newspaper L'equipe Chelsea previously this summer tried to transfer Eden during next summer. The English club is owned by Roman Abramovich, a Russian businessman who is listed as the 50th richest man in the world. The team who has now won the champions League and is looking for players to make the team younger.

Due to the exorbitant wages that many players are being paid these days, many clubs are unable to pay high transfer fees. Due to the owner, Chelsea has the means to buy almost any player on the market.

CONCLUSION:

- May 2012: Up from 3 stars to 4. Chelsea's team won the Champions League, and, some players are hitting the age limit, and need to be replaced.

Real Madrid to have exposed a list of young talents to be bought before they get too expensive: on the list Eden Hazard and supertalent Mario Götze.

- Real Madrid won the Primera division, and almost the Champions League. He win continue to build a team that can equal the galacticos. Is Eden is on that list, is hard to say. Zidane was scouting Younes Belhanda, who seems to have a similar profile, and has the same style as Zidane, and is cheaper.

- Real Madrid tried to buy world class player Neymar Da Silva. Mourinho said he is happy with the transfers and may not be looking for more players.

- Zinedine Zidane has been promoted to new Sport Director at Real Madrid. Zidane is a great admirer or Eden, and would want him to join the success team. He now can decide together with Jose Mourinho to make an offer or not.

- Steady interest: Mourinho received a yearly budget to invest in new players, and likes players like Hazard. Zidane can push the transfer. Real madrid is the richest club in the world.

- Previously Real Madrid was reported to have offered 22 million for Eden Hazard, however unconfirmed. No deal was made, and Real has many offensive players already. The high transfer sum and the high number of offensive players in the team seems to block a transfer. E.g. C. Ronaldo needs to play, since the marketing around him brings in a lot of money.

- Jose Mourinho changed Inter for Real Madrid. Mourinho is a great fan of wingers like he used to have with Robben in Chelsea.

However, Real Madrid already seems to have many offensive players.

- Zinedine Zidane - Sports Director (previously technical adviser) is a huge fan as has advised to buy Hazard several times. Eden is a huge fan of Zidane.

- Mourinho's goal is to win the triple, and can buy any player he sees fit to bring him immediate result. Eden might need to some adjustment and time to be a key player in probably the second strongest team of Europe. However he has proven to be able to guide Lille to win the French Championship.

CONCLUSION:

- May 2012: Back up from 3 to 4. Real Madrid seems to realize Eden is a player that will make the difference in the Champions League the next years. Eden has at this moment of writing scored 17 goals and 19 assists, in Ligue 1.

New on the list: Tottenham.

Tottenham, who is currently on a position to play champions league next year, has showed interest in Eden. Was confirmed by coach Harry Redknapp. Tottenham, with players like Adebayor and Gareth Bale, could have sufficient money to make the transfer. Especially when Bale is bought by a rich club like Manchester United.

CONCLUSION: Down from 4 stars to 3. Tottenham might not make it to the Champions League. Still 3 stars because if Bale gets sold, Eden would be a great replacement.

PSG was taken over by investors from Qatar, who have lots of money to spend on bringing back PSG to the top of the League.

- PSG communicated they are no longer interested in transferring Eden.

- PSG made Eden a great offer, and was willing to pay the transfer price. Lille refused, since Eden would go to a direct competitor. However, transfer fee offered seems to have increased to an offer that van't be refused...

CONCLUSION:

- May 2012: 1 star down from 3. Eden has indicated he wants to leave the French competition, and PSG said they are no longer interested in Eden.

Hazard listed possibly listed on a transfer shortlist (including other players being followed), but may not be for this season.

- Liverpool has joined to group of interested teams. Liverpool is in need of some extra creativity on the midfield. One of England's top teams with a budget to buy expensive players. Budget restrictions may block a possible transfer.

CONCLUSION:

- May 2012: 2 stars down from 3. Liverpool is hardly mentioned as interested club.

Steady interest, continuous scouting, and transfer could happen next season. Price range is rising above the spending budget for Arsenal.

- Wenger is realizing Eden is getting stronger. With his currently 17 goals and 22 assists, and 100 games in a row, Eden has proven he is ready for arsenal.

-Gervinho to be transferred to Arsenal, preventing a transfer for Eden, certainly this transfer period. Fabregas has been sold.

Arsène Wenger (success-coach with a special talent to recognize young talents) is charmed and following him. Arsenal is a great team for young talented players, who are later sold to absolute top team. Wenger is very well aware of the French competition. A transfer during winter break was difficult since Lille is number one in the league. Arsenal will aim at next summer, if one of their players is sold.

CONCLUSION:

From 4 to 3 stars. Steady interest, and several times confirmed by Arsène Wenger. Will he wait (too long)? Eden fits perfectly into their strategy, however transfer price is increasing steadily. And Wenger has indicated the price is too high.

Steady interest. May be bought if Ribéry or Robben get sold or injured.

- Bayern has a very strong team, and Robben has agreed to sign another contract. Bayern will more likely buy cheaper talented players, since Bayern wants to be a healthy club for the next years.

- Van Gaal has been fired, and Jupp Heynckes to take over next season. Unclear what this change will have on their scouting Shortlist. Bayern still looking for young players to strengthen the team

- Bayern has not won the Champions league. However has made a financial good year and there will still be room for investment, and Eden is an excellent investment. Since Robben is very injury-sensitive, more playtime will be available for Eden. Also the quartet Gomes - Robben - Hazard - Ribery could be a lethal combination to dominate the Bundesliga, and allow Heynckes to juggle with offensive positions (switching players to other side).

- Good scouting, have recruited young talents before. Presence of French speaking players like Daniel Van Buyten and Frank Ribéry could make a difference. Eden has been reported on Bayern's shortlist for 2010-2011. Bayern Munich is currently playing the Champions League final. Both French speaking players might stay at Bayern. Creative nr. 10 have a good opportunity in the Bundesliga (see Diego). Bayern makes progress every year, and has a growing group of fans and a huge turnover.

CONCLUSION:

- May 2012: Down to 2 from 3 stars. Could have been a replacement for Robben, but Robben agreed to stay.

- Depending on results of Bayern in Germany, and injuries/transfers. On the offensive side, Bayern seems to be safe. The chance they will pay a incredible transfer fee for the extremely talented German Mario Götze is currently higher than to transfer Hazard.

Steady interest, but transfer price is too high. Eden has indicated to go to England.

- Has made an offer before, but it was refused. Would probably buy if price was lower. Eden recent wins (Title, Cup, Player of the year) could make him dream of a European Club in a bigger competition.

- In an interview with Aziz Yıldırım, the president of Fenerbahce, he said that Fenerbahce had offered 19 millions for Eden Hazard, but Lille refused wanting 25 millions. "We are not going to buy him anymore because we think 25 million is too much"

- Eden's manager Ekrem Örenç reported the player would probably play in Turkish competition next season. Fenerbache has a budget for incoming transfers.The ask price for the 19-year-old player is not 30 million, as some media reported but 15 million euros. According to Turkish media, at some point in the past, Fenerbahce will confirm the transfer of Eden Hazard within 1 week. However, this did not happen.

CONCLUSION:

- May 2012: Down from 2 stars to 1 star. The level Eden is playing now, it becomes less likely Fenerbahce will be able to pay the transfer price. Eden wants to go to England.

Barcelona needs to buy some extra players that have added value and are able to win the Champions League again.

- Guardiola is unfortunately leaving Barcelona after elimination from the Champions League. The new coach will need to see where he can improve the team. Barcelona needs another player that can make individual actions to allow others to score, and replace Messi when injured. Neymar doesn't seem to be coming next season yet.

- Barcelona has bought Fabregas.

- Guardiola has proven to be a topcoach. After winning the second title with Barca, he not only has shown how to improve the team around Messi, but also how to change tactics adequatly to win in important mathces. It is obligatory for him to only attract player that have vista and automatically "feel" what the other players will do, without talking. If Guardiola is convinced Eden is such a player, a transfer is possible. Eden might also be used if Messi gets injured.

Eden fits into the speedy technical gameplay.

- Barcelona has won the Champions League for the 3rd time in 6 years. Directed by a brilliant Messi, they dominated Manchester United, and convinced the world of their supremacy. Barca needs regularly new talented players who want to win everything.

- When Messi gets injured, Barcelona's creativity drops by 30%. When Eden gets trained into this system, he could become the same type of player. Logically, he will need time to adapt and grow, just like Messi. Messi is currently the undisputed best player in the world, and he has convinced many experts to be the best player that has existed. This website also believes this, pushing Maradona away from the first spot.

- Unconfirmed rumors say Barcelona has offered Lille a dazzling 30 millions transfer fee for Eden Hazard. This has not been confirmed yet, and seems unlikely, seen the fact that Barcelona has just paid 40 millions for David Villa (to replace Thierry Henry) and is strongly interested in Fabregas (Arsenal) who should not come cheap either.

- Eden fits into the technical speedy "galacticos" footbal. Playing with Messi (speed, creativity, vista) would create extra horror for defenders, because always 1 step too late. Barcelona needs unpredictable player to break up defenses.

Furthermore, Eden fits into the great team athmosphere, and would be able to speak Spanish in some months.

CONCLUSION:

- May 2012: Back up to 4 stars. Barcelona is too dependent on Messi, and has no players that can act as a winger. This caused them to loose from Chelsea in the semi-final. Eden's 17 goals and 22 assists, must have put him on the shortlist.

- October 2011: Back to 3 stars: Barcelona seems to buy very few players, but just the onces that can bring immediate added value to win the Champions League again. Currently David Villa's gameplay (waiting for the final pass to finish off) seems to be blocking Barcelona's tiki-taka game more than giving added value. Sanchez will soon replace him, since he can gets past one of more defenders himself, and add more creativity to the team. That should improve Barcelonas game for this year. What about next year?

Eden is looking for a transfer outside France.

- Lyon has openly shown interested and has already moved into negotiations with Lille. Eden has been in 2 consecutive years the best young player in France. Letting him go to direct competition like Marseille (champion) or Bordeaux would be bad for business. Furthermore, the transfer price is not likely to drop next year.

- Eden has indicated several times he is interested in moving into more challenging competition. With Lyon he would have to play the same teams again, he played the last couple of years.

CONCLUSION:

- May 2012: Lyon is definetely out of the race.

2011: Down from 2 stars to 1 stars. Eden has indicated his future might not be in another French team. If he guides Lille to win the championship, he should leave France, and move to a tougher competition. If Eden moves, it will be to PSG.

Spanish teams are perfectfor Eden's style, but they have no money anymore.

- Sevilla has won the Copa Del Rey 2010 (Spanish Cup) in the Primeira Division. Perfect stepping-stone Spanish technical team. Many spanish teams have financial worries.

CONCLUSION:

Spanish clubs have a deficit of 2 Billion Euros. Except Barcelona and Reaql Madrid, no Spanish club can afford the transfer fee.

Dutch league would not be a improvement, and Ajax can't afford the transfer price.

- Ajax is interested in any young player, but is currently looking at it's own talents. Ajax also is not having any of -21 year top talents, and not dominating the competition.

CONCLUSION:

Down from 3 stars to zero. Ajax is always informed on ANY European talent -21 years due their sophisticated world-class scouting network.

Both the president and his son, the vice-president have shown it's interest in Eden.

- Mourinho left Inter, but Massimo Moratti, president of Inter, has shown openly his interest for Hazard. 

- Mourinho was interested, but Italian football is very hard for young offensive players. Mourinho left Inter for Real Madrid

CONCLUSION:

Back up from zero stars to 3 stars. Inter hasnt made any big transfers yet.

Inter seems to be heading down in performance, and will need new players to be able go for the scudetto.

Juventus is back in the top, with a new stadium. They are looking for a player to replace Del Piero.

CONCLUSION:

May 2012: Eden is on Juve's shortlist, but maybe not the highest priority

Marseille/Lyon (FR)/Ajax (NL)

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